Those out of sight areas are a magnet for attracting clutter. Spring is the best time to tackle the dark depths of your murky muddle and clogged up corners. Here are Tapioca Tidy’s top ten tips for sorting out the clutter that so easily accumulates in these dumping ground areas. You’ll find it liberating – I know I did and I am as guilty as anyone of using my shed as a “just in case” dumping ground.

1. Let’s start with the attic – it really is worth investing in some clear stackable storage boxes with lids. There is nothing worse than opening an old soggy cardboard box to discover that the contents have been ruined by mildew.

2. Use a permanent marker pen or labels to mark up what is in each box and/or container. This will mean that you will not have to move boxes around and open them up to see what is inside.

3. It’s also worth going up into your attic with a notepad and creating an inventory. If you are storing things for your children, be sure to involve them and enlist their help in storing their “stuff” effectively.

4. Choose a warm dry day to declutter and sort your garage and/or shed and allow plenty of time and space to complete the task in hand – whether it be a trip to the recycling unit or the local charity shops.

5. This is the time you can celebrate the re-use of old cake tins, ice cream containers and jars to store nails, hooks, raw plugs, and nuts and bolts.

6. Think “off the floor”. Use hooks, tool clips and peg boards for storing equipment such as rakes, spades and gardening tools. By using ceiling hangers, maximise this space for ladders, wood and outdoor sporting equipment.

7. Create zoning areas – this applies to lofts, garages and sheds. “Family up” all car related items, Xmas tree decorations, tools and gardening equipment. By doing this you can easily assess what you have, what you need and what you use.

8. Is it the spiders, cobwebs and creepy-crawlies that fill you with dread at tackling these areas? Have an empty jar and a piece of cardboard with you for re-homing insects from your shed or garage.

9. Recycle and look out for local charity groups who may be able to make use of broken lawn mowers, bicycles, tools and unused paint. There are various community projects that will benefit from your clutter – broken or otherwise. It’s better than going into landfill!

10. Re-sell using the likes of E-bay or simply give it away to friends or “freecycle” it. If you are still feeling you need a little guidance then consider calling a declutterer who will help you stay on track to complete the task in hand to free up your space!